Testa-jeffery, Virginia

Artist Statement

I drape leather hides into wearable unique clothing and accessories.I have a deep love of the natural world and of the animals that inhabit it. I take great pleasure in creating something extremely unique that honors the animals existence and also allows the wearer to feel unique and elegant. Most hides are selected from locally sourced New York State tannery. I then combine two hides together looking for drape shape color compatibility and flow. When I find two leather skins that I like together I start draping them on the body form adding tucks pleats folds etc to create each cape. I then add embellishments which can be in combinations of crystals gemstones. natural objects like seed pods tree bark and bone. Many of the designs are assembled right on the body form. Collars and cuffs are also assembled and designed in the same way. I have added re-claimed fur as accents this year .